BOSS TERNS. 



65 



tlie essential oil wlilcli communicates an odour to the 

 plant when bruised. 



The Crisped Pern is som.ewhat local in its distribution, 

 being confined to sliady banks and damp woods in the 

 west of England and in Ireland. Its elegant habit and 

 evergreen character render this a favourite either as a pot 

 plant or for the outdoor ferner3^ 



BEOAD BOSS PEEN.^ 



From a large root-stock the fronds are developed in 

 tufts, which are not erect, or nearly so, as in tbe Male 

 Eern, but curve over in an arching manner, and form 

 spreading clumps of long feathery fronds from a foot to 

 4 or 5 feet in length. The foot-stalk is thick at its 

 base, and densely covered with pointed, spear-shaped 

 scales. The outline of the fronds, though very variable, 

 is usually spear-shaped, and the branches are disposed in 

 a feathery manner. The leaflets have an oblong outline, 

 deeply cut and lobed in a variable manner, each lobe 

 having its margin set with spiny teeth. The covering of 

 the spore-cases is fringed with stalked glands. This is 

 one of the most complex of the Boss Eerns, passing into 

 almost innumerable varieties and modifications, but re- 

 taining its overarching habit. It is regarded by some 

 as a variety of the Spiny Boss Eern. (Plate VI., fig. 1.) 



This hardy species is found in shady lanes and damp 

 woods, though by no means partial to sv^ampy localities. 



There are fourteen or fifteen named varieties of the 

 Broad Boss Eern. That called dumetorum has small tri- 

 angular-shaped fronds, with broad and closely set leaflets. 



The variety lepidota is one of the most graceful and ele- 

 gant,with large and much divided fronds and small leaflets. 



This species has also its variety cristata, in which the 

 terminations of the side branches are subdivided, and 

 form flattish crests. 



The variety interrupta is one of those unsymmetrical 



* Lastrea dilatata, Peesl. 



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